Arizona anger reaches S.J.

Sunday

May 2, 2010 at 12:01 AM

STOCKTON - Angered about Arizona's new anti-immigration law and disheartened by what they say is President Barack Obama's "broken promise," thousands of people marched along Center Street in a demonstration for federal immigration reform.

Jennie Rodriguez

STOCKTON - Angered about Arizona's new anti-immigration law and disheartened by what they say is President Barack Obama's "broken promise," thousands of people marched along Center Street in a demonstration for federal immigration reform.

Arizona's new law, which penalizes undocumented immigrants with jail time and hefty fines, has sparked nationwide calls for a boycott of the state.

On Saturday, it was one more reason demonstrators pleaded for a comprehensive overhaul of the immigration system, even as the issue has been removed from Obama's priorities for the election year.

The president said lawmakers may not be willing to tackle immigration as they face re-election and as they deal with other legislative matters.

Immigration supporters are growing anxious, because the president had vowed to address the issue in his first year.

Organizers estimated there were more than 2,000 participants in the Stockton march. "People are very passionate," said Luis Magana, who coordinated the demonstration. "There is fear that what happened in Arizona can happen to them."

Chanting "Yes, we can" and "Obama, listen, we are in a struggle," the massive crowd walked from south Stockton's McKinley Park and ended at Eden Park. Signs displayed messages such as "We are all Arizona" and "Please do not separate my family."

Silvia Herrera held a poster with pictures of her three grandchildren, ages 5 months to 3 years old.

"I'm here for them," said Herrera, a Jamestown resident.

Her son-in-law, whom she described as a hard-working and responsible man, was deported two years ago. He was split from his American-born children and American-born wife, who is Herrera's daughter.

"My daughter left to Mexico. She didn't want her children to grow up without their father," Herrera said.

Herrera sees them only in pictures since then. "I am very sad and frustrated," she said.

Another marcher, Martha Valadez was accompanied by members of University of the Pacific's MEChA Club who were there to show disapproval of Arizona.

The state gives law enforcement authority to ask for proof of legal residency from anyone they suspect of being undocumented.

Marchers called it unconstitutional and a method that leads to racial profiling.

"They're dehumanizing a community and treating them like animals," said Valadez, a 21-year-old senior at Pacific.

"We bring people here to work when we need them," Valadez said. "We use them, and when we're done with them, we want to send them back."

John Morearty, a community activist, said he was there in support of human rights for all people. "We are all working people," said Morearty, a 71-year-old Stockton resident. "My grandparents came here undocumented from Ireland and they worked in a farm."

Stockton's immigration march was organized by local activist, Luis Magana, an affiliate of the American Friends Service Committee.

It received support from at least one labor union, the local Nation of Islam, and a few other organizations.

El Concilio provided bottled water to those walking.

Pro-immigration marches have been taking place every May 1 since 2006. May 1 is observed as a day of labor recognition. For the initial 2006 event, people left school, work and closed shops in an effort to show the effect immigrants have on the economy.

Subsequent marches continue to call for reform that offers a path to legalization. Magana said Saturday's march was the largest since 2006.